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With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

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March 27, 2008

How old is too old to have a baby?

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By Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

When I had my first child I was 32 years old and considered an "elderly primip." I felt I was in the prime of life, certainly not elderly.

About 14 percent of births in the United States are to women 35 and older. Now they are considered advanced maternal age. What does that mean exactly?

I thought I would tackle the issues of advanced maternal age in two parts. Today I will talk about conception and early pregnancy. I will cover more of the possible issues of late pregnancy in women over 35 if you are interested. My goal is not to make light of the potential issues but rather put them in perspective.

Women over 35 may take longer to be able to conceive. This is related to those eggs we have had since birth. We don't make new eggs as men make new sperm. Our eggs are with us almost from conception. They don't always age well. They can lose quality and there can be fewer of them. This is one reason to seek help from your health care provider if you have been unable to achieve pregnancy after trying for 6 months.

There is an increase in spontaneous miscarriage with an approximate risk of 25 percent in women age 35-39 and 51 percent in women 40-44. If you look at this another way, women 35-39 have a 75 percent chance of not having a miscarriage.

The concern many women over 35 hear about most often is Down Syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities. At 35 a woman's risk of any clinically significant chromosome abnormalities is about 1 in 200. Her risk of a baby with Down Syndrome is about 1 in 365. In other words, the odds of having an absolutely normal baby would be about 99.34 percent.

I haven't answered the question of how old is too old because I don't think there is one answer. There are so many positive things about having children when we are older and yet the increased risks are real. Learn as much as possible and if and when you get pregnant, rejoice!

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42 comments posted

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November 12, 2008 8:30 p.m.

Its so encouraging to read so many positive things. I am 39 y/o and had my son at age 27. I was single and was not able to have a baby. I am now engaged and trying to have another child, I had an ectopic preg. 3 yrs ago. All I can do is wait, but time is going by so fast. I feel like giving up sometimes.

- Yvelisse

November 6, 2008 10:26 a.m.

hi i am in early 30s and trying to conceive but recently i went to remove cryst from my ovary does this make me slow down of getting pregent. And my hubby use to smokes and drinks alcohol at times does this will effect or will there be a problem to be conceive. Thank you and looking for yr comment.

- shan

November 4, 2008 7:23 p.m.

I was 17 when I found out that I had only 1 felopian tube. Between the ages of 21-22 I fell pregnant 3 times only to miscarry 3 times.At 23 I gave birth to a healthy boy & at 24 I had a healthy girl. I was told that I only had half a womb & that I was lucky to have my babies.I'm now 38 and am trying for another child, I didn't let 1 felopian tube than half a womb and 3 miscarriages stop me before so I won't let being 38 stop me now, all anyone can do is be postitive and keep a healthy body & if it is meant to be it will.

- ruby

October 27, 2008 7:05 p.m.

I am 45 and call me a dreamer but I really want to get pregnant again. I have an adorable 4 year old, so my first pregnancy was at 41. I have had two miscarriages (one before and after him). I want to have hope, but my OB/GYN said my "eggs were fried", which I find really negative. Is there any hope?

- dakotagirl

October 22, 2008 9:04 p.m.

I suffered an ectopic pregnancy 3 years ago and I am seeking information regarding the likelihood of natural concenption when one felopian tube has been removed. I've been told by 2 specialists that the remaining tube is very healty and I have very regular cycles but being 38 is a concern for me. I'd like to know how soon I can seek fertility assistance. I'd like to be pregnant within the next year or so. Please help!!

- anonymous

October 16, 2008 11:54 p.m.

One of the few regrets in life I have is not having children. I am in my 40's but still think about it sometimes.

- Paul

October 12, 2008 9:20 p.m.

I am 37 and TTC for the first time in my life. My doctor told me he thought it would take me 2 months to get pregnant. When I asked him why he said because my cycles are regurlar. Within 2 months I was pregnant. We miscarried, waited a cycle, got pregnant again. Hopefully this one sticks. There is so much scary and negative information online about being over 35 and trying to conceive. The Mayo Clinic is my favorite source for information on pregnancy. Lots or relavent information and not so much discouraging stuff. Just remember, that even if your in your 40s you're still likly to conceive and have a HEALTHY baby.

- Wendy

September 23, 2008 2:22 p.m.

I have six wonderful children (same husband) all born after my 30th birthday. Happy, healthy beautiful children. My youngest is now 17 months old. I just suffered a miscarriage at age 43. My heart is broken but am a willing vessel if God chooses to bless us again. Every time I look at one of these amazing creatures I can't imagine doing anything to prevent pregnancy. I have read all the statistics and I know the risks, I also know it's God who is in control. If your doctor laughs or makes fun of you wanting a child at "advanced maternal age" - find another doctor or midwife who respects life and the Creator of Life. Best wishes.

- sillysally

September 5, 2008 1:23 a.m.

im 37 years old and had a miscarriage this past may. my husband and i are now trying again to conceive. we've been trying for 3 months now, and nothing yet. i'm hearing all these things about how i may not be ovulating as often as i was when i was in my 20's and im starting to give up hope. i will be seeing my doctor this month so hopefully i can get some encouragement. it is nice though to hear that women my age and older are having babies. hopefully it will be me soon as well. good luck to you all.

- kimberly

August 24, 2008 5:01 a.m.

I have just suffered my first miscarriage at 36 which I have found very hard and I was beginning to think I had left it too late to have a child, however thanks to your articule and other comments I feel so much better knowing so many other women continue to have healthy babies over 35. This has giving me renewed hope and I will start to try again once my body and mind is ready!.

- nicky